§ The following question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY:
§ 2. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the 2208 troops of Chang Tso Lin in their retreat to Manchuria commandeered all the available locomotives and rolling stock of the railways of North China and took them with them; that a large proportion of this material was supplied by British firms in good faith and has not yet been paid for; and what steps are being taken to press the heirs of Chang Tso Lin either for payment of the money owing to these British firms or the return of the rolling stock?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn putting this question, I am aware that the first part was answered on Monday, but I should be glad of some information on the last part.
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Austen Chamberlain)I think that the question was entirely answered by the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for South-East Essex (Mr. Looker) on the 9th July.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDid not the right hon. Gentleman say that he was making inquiries, and would he particularly answer the part of the question as to whether he can take steps to press the present Government of Manchuria to make some reparation to these British firms?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThis stock has not been removed from the railway system to which it belongs, and I do not think that the time has come for making special representations yet. His Majesty's Minister has been doing, and will continue to do, his best to get payment of the commercial debts of these firms.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this money is long overdue to these British firms, and why does he not take as vigorous action as he would against the Nationalists of China in similar circumstances?